Never Too Late For College

Yes, you're an adult, but even gorwn-ups are allowed to have some fun every once in a while. It's so easy to get caught up in the routine of studying, going to work, taking care of your family and household obligations, and to burn out mid-semester. Take stock of your life and your approach to college. Are you having any fun or doing anything for yourself? If not, I recommend you start now!

Attend Campus Events

Check out your school's Office of Student Life. Some schools offer fabulous activities, events, and performances at a fraction of the cost. You may be able to take your tween daughter or son to a great concert of a well-known pop artist right there on your campus. Or perhaps you'll take in a musical at your school's auditorium. There are also many lectures offered in subjects that may be of interest to you, and sometimes professors will offer extra credit for attending.

Get Involved

Studies show that students who get involved in campus activities or clubs are more likely to remain in college and to graduate. The majority of such studies apply to traditional aged students, but getting involved on campus can be good for adult learners as well. Being a commuter student can make one feel very isolated from what's going on at college. Getting involved in campus activities can help you to feel more a part of your campus and often helps to increase confidence. Check out how you can become part of student government, clubs related to your major, or campus sports and activities that interest you. I've seen adult students benefit greatly from being active in non-traditional student groups and academic honor societies as well. You'll gain leadership skills and make great contacts and support systems that can benefit you now and in future pursuits.

Take Some "You" Time

Don't neglect yourself. We all need some alone time. Time is such a precious commodity as an adult college student, I know. But, believe me, you'll feel more refreshed to tackle everything that's on your plate if you recharge by taking some down time. Read a book or go to a movie. Take up a hobby or activity you once enjoyed, but have found yourself neglecting. I find that I'm tremendously recharged after just taking an hour or two to do some scrapbooking - a hobby I all too often put to the side.

So what are you going to do for fun? Put yourself to the test this weekend, and choose just one activity you can engage in, either alone or with family or friends. You'll be so glad you did.

Do you have a professor whose teaching methods drive you crazy? Does she go too fast? Does he talk in jargon you can't understand? What can you do to change this professor, to improve their teaching? Chances are, you can't change the instructor or his way of teaching. Just as there are many different learning styles, all instructors teach differently. That can be hard for both adult and traditional-aged students to deal with. What you can change is the way you adapt to different teaching styles. Here are some examples.

If your professor is extremely organized...

This instructor comes to class on time for every meeting, writing an outline on the board of the day's lesson. She gives key phrases like, "This is important." or "Three thins to remember are..." This is the kind of instructor everybody likes to have, right? Maybe. But maybe not, if you're not a visual or auditory learner. With this kind of teacher, hands-on learning rarely takes place, and if you need that kind of interaction to learn effectively, you may find yourself struggling.

One thing you can do to overcome the difference in teaching and learning styles is to make the lessons a bit more hands-on when you get home. Immediately review the notes, saying them outloud. This helps you to become personally involved in the material. If there are problems you can practice, do so, even if they're not assigned for homework. This activity will sink in better for you than just listening to a lecture. Perhaps you can even find videos in the library on a particular topic that will allow you to see the process in action. Another thing you can consider is working with the professor's strengths instead of against them. Get a tutor to teach you some outlining skills. Take a study skills course to learn better reading comprehension.

If your instructor is a conversationalist...

The conversationalist engages her students in discussions relating to the material. She likes to ask open-ended questions to be sure the students are on the right track and to provide them with a personal understanding of the topic. This kind of instructor expects you to come to class prepared. This usually isn't a problem for adult students, but talking out loud and expressing ideas may be hard for those who are shy.

The best advice I can give in this case is to come to class extra prepared. Have questions ready about your reading. Conversationalists love this. Be sure your questions are thoughtful and meaningful, not just something to get you off the hook with the professor. If you're insecure about talking in front of the class, try to remember that everyone else is probably nervous too. Also, keep in mind that this is your education, and you have the right to take charge of it by sharing what you know and getting all you can out of your classes.

If your professor is hands-on...

This is the instructor you want to have if you're a kinesthetic, or active, learner. This professor usually lectures for a bit at the beginning of class, then gives the students to take practice the material just learned. Often times, he'll walk around the room, observing or asking questions. This always made me nervous.

If this isn't your preferred learning style, remember the advice I gave earlier: this is your education. Try to remember that in helping to overcome your insecurities of making a mistake or being critiqued. Perhaps the best way to learn in this class really is using a hands-on approach. Just try to relax and let yourself get involved in the process. You may find it's even kind of fun!

There you have it, some examples of the kinds of professors you may encounter in college. As much as you may like it it happen, it's very unlikely that instructors will change their method of teaching to meet your personal needs, but you can make changes in your approach to learning that will help you to be more successful in all of your classes.

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I was watching an episode of The Doctors this morning on TV, and they were answering a father's question about whether it was safe for his daughter, a college freshman, to take caffeine pills to help her stay awake during the stressful time of midterms and finals. This led to a discussion on why students shouldn't pull all nighters and how it's bad for their health. I got to thinking about the time I spent working with students at the community college and realized that, more often, it was the adults who were most deprived of sleep throughout the entire semester.

Many non-traditional students are working to support their families while taking classes or are taking care of children or a loved-one. Their time is very limited. I saw students go straight to class after working an 8-hour night shift. While I know that we often must do what we have to do in order to reach our goals and to move ahead in life, I would recommend trying not to sacrifice sleep when pursuing your studies. Here are some ways to stay healthy when time is short and your to-do list is long.

Get Regular Sleep

You knew I would say this, right? But it's the most obvious given the topic at hand. As Travis mentioned on The Doctors, no one can retain information if they're suffering from sleep deprivation. It's just a physiological impossibility. Your brain needs sleep to function optimally, so don't fight it.

Build In Study Time

Like I've said before, it's a really good idea to build study time into your day. You can do this by scheduling an open space between classes. This way, you're already on campus. It's a convenient time ,away from the distractions of home, to just sit down and bang out some studying. Maybe you can have your lunch during this time also.

Eat Well

Speaking of lunch, don't forget to eat a balanced diet. Actually, don't forget to eat at all. I used to see students all the time who would tell me that they didn't have time to eat. Bad idea. Depriving your body of nutrients is like not fueling up your car, it just won't go without putting something into it. Bring along some healthy (or at least relatively healthy) snacks from home that are portable and can be eaten on the go. Bringing your own snacks saves you both money and time.

Socialize

Yes, seriously, socialize. I know you barely have time to breathe. I get it. I do. I also get the burn-out that comes from not doing anything for yourself. A good way to combine study with socializing is to start a study group. Maybe there are some other non-traditional aged students in your toughest class. You could get together to study and talk about the things you all are going through while pursuing your degree. If there aren't other non-trads in your class, start a conversation with some of the younger students near you. Once you get to know a small group, it might be nice to invite them over to your house for a study session. Many students haven't had a home-cooked meal since leaving for school and might appreciate just hanging out in a family atmosphere. And it could help a bit with inter-generational relations. Norma writes more about this at her blog, Back 2 School Moms.

Drink Your Water

Yes, it's okay to drink some coffee when you're feeling drowsy, but don't forget to stay hydrated throughout the day with water. We all know it's good for our health, but it's particularly important to stay hydrated in periods of stress and when you're on the go a lot, which is when most of us forget something like this that's so simple.

Know Your Best Time of Day

We all have a certain time of day when we're most energetic. Some of us are early birds, while others are night owls. Use that peak time to your advantage. If you're an early riser, get up before your usual wake-up call. This will allow you to sneak in some extra studying, or even some time for yourself. Remember that little thing called burn-out that I mentioned? You may also want to schedule the bulk of your classes early, when you're most refreshed and alert. Same goes for you night owls. Night classes work great for people like you because they're often offered only once a week. This kind of schedule can sometimes free up time for other commitments. If you don't think your attention span can handle three hours of class, however, you may want to reconsider.

Vent

Yep, sometimes you just have to let it all out. I know college isn't easy. There are so many dynamics involved in adding college to your current lifestyle, it's bound to cause you some aggravation. Your family may not be giving you the support you need. Your hectic lifestyle may be getting to you. Any number of things may send you reeling. Don't keep it inside! Talk to your family about your concerns or talk to an academic adviser.  You never know what kinds of solutions you'll come up with by working together and letting it out. You're only human. Don't try to go it alone.

I hope these suggestions help. You can always feel free to ask me any questions you may have about dealing with stress and staying healthy. I'm happy to offer assistance. Remember, if you're not taking care of yourself, you're no good to your studies or to the people around you. Be good to yourself.

Having a support system is crucial when you go back to school. Family and friends play such an important role in your life; it just makes sense that their support, or lack of, can have a tremendous impact on your college success. The following tips may help you as you ease the transition for your loved ones as well as yourself.

Building a Support System

Take a minute to write down everyone you think can help you as you incorporate college into your life. Asking for help is tough for some of us, but the people around you are likely more than willing to lend a hand. You'll need assistance with things like chidcare, household duties, and stress management, as attending class and studying begins to take up more of your time. Don't forget to add support staff from your colege or university, such as academic advisers. These folks can be extremely valuable in providing answers to your questions and providing peaceof mind.

Communication is Key

Open communication with those in your life is the key to making it all work. Talk to you family members before you enroll in college so that they're aware of the reasons you have for wanting to go. Once you're enrolled, be sure to let them know of the changes they can expect, such as the fact that you won't be as avaiable to them as you once were. Reassure them, however, that you will be there when they need you and encourage them to communicate their needs as well. As you go along your college journey, things will come up that will need to be addressed,and changes will need to be made. Just remember to keep the lines of communication open as you go along!

Set Boundries

Setting boundaries with your loved ones and with yourself will help to keep you on the right track. Your famiy may expect you to be as active in the household chores as you once were. Remind them again of the benefits of pursuing your education and that they agreed to be supportive of your efforts. Then delegate some of the household duties to older kids, your spouse, or partner. Before long, everyone will slide into a routine that works for your family. Setting boundaries with yourself is another story.

So often we want to take on more than we can handle. It will be even more important while you're in school to say no to certain requests and to be creative about ways of completing others. For example, when I was going back to school, I often purchased baked goods for my kids' school parties or for summer gatherings, rather than making them from scratch. Though I enjoy baking, it took a lot of pressure off of me to be able to use that time fr studying and just pick something up from the store the next time I was out. Finally, you may be surprised to ind there are some friends who aren't as supportive as you hoped they'd be. Sometimes friends feel threatened by the fact that you're pursuing your education. They may even be jealous. Or they may simply be afraid they're losing you. Take time to reassure them, but don't let them bring you down or steer you away from your dreams.

Altough adding college to your life will be an adjustment, things will eventually settle down. If you've been a student for a while now, what has worked for you? What would you suggest to help new students in forming a support network?

If you're thinking about going to college as an adult, chances are that you have lots of questions. One of the biggest questions on your mind may be how to tell if a school is legitimate. You've probably heard of diploma mills, those online programs that are just out to get your money and don't offer a legitimate degree. They do exist and plenty of innocent people fall for their scams.

Accreditation

To be sure that your school is official, you'll want to look into its accreditation. Accreditation simply means that the school has been thoroughly examined and recommended by an organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education. There are six such accrediting agencies that are the most recognized. This article from Distance-Education.org goes into further detail on accrediting bodies. What's important to know is that these agencies verify everything from individual programs, financial aid, advising, tutoring, and admissions to make sure that schools receiving their seal of approval are meeting the needs of their students.

The Process

When I was a community college academic adviser, my school went through an accreditation evaluation by The Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges. The professionals who made up this group were people with years of experience in academia. They spent an entire week at our school, speaking with students, faculty, and staff and covered each department and service with a fine tooth comb. At the end of the week, we were given a brief on the committee's findings. I can assre you that any school with accreditation from a legitimate source is providing a recognizable degree.

Where To Start

As a place to start, you can check the Department of Education's database of accredited institutions to see if your school of interest is listed. There is a disclaimer on the stie saying that students must do their own due diligence in researching schools, as situations may change or a school may have missed making the list. Just be sure to ask questinos of admissions representatives about accreditation, then research the accrediting body they've provided.  If they aren't able to give you a straight answer or stumble in any way, beware. The Distance-Education.org article I mentioned earlier gives a very thorough list of fake accreditation agencies as well as a list of legitimate ones. Be sure to check it out.  You can also check this directory from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation for specific program accrediting agiencies, though it's quite thorough and involved.

Good luck in your search for the college or university that best meets your needs. Don't let the issue of accreditation overwhelm you. Simply by asking questions, doing some research, and following your instincts, you'll be able to find a school that works for you. As always, feel free to contact me with any questions!

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When I was an academic adviser at the community college level, I often encountered students who would ask me the best way to finish their degree in four years. Even adult students who were working part-time or had families seemed to be focused on that magic number of four years. You don't have to finish your degree in four years; set a realistic goal to complete your program that fits your lifestyle.

Taking Longer Doesn't Equal Failure

Taking longer to complete your Bachelor's degree doesn't make you a failure. An Associate's degree will likely take you longer than two years to finish as well. Take some time to let yourself get comfortable with the fact that it's okay to take the time you need and to go at your own pace. Capella University's blog covered this topic very well.

You're Not Behind

The title of this blog is Never Too Late For College. Remember that. Just because you've gotten a "late start", that doesn't mean you're behind. College isn't a race. Your emotional state, your relationships, and your grades will likely suffer if you try to take it all on at once and finish in an unrealistic time frame. You can accomplish your dreams, even if getting your degree  takes longer than you had realized. I used to tell my students about my friend's mom. She actually attended college with him. She went on to earn her Master's and Dcotorate degrees and is now an associate professor at a prestigious university. Not bad for someone who started college at mid-life! You can reach your career aspirations, too.

Don't Make Comparisons

Try not to compare your college path to those of your classmates. Please keep your individual situation in mind when scheduling your classes and planning your curriculum. If you have a full-time job and a family, I wouldn't recommend taking more than one or two classes. Sometimes financial aid criteria require that students take at least six credits. Try to choose a balance courseload. Take one class that may be challenging and one that is interesting or easy for you. Remember, you can always take classes in the summer. The credits do add up, and you will finish!

What are your thoughts? Are you stressing out about whether you'll ever earn that degree? Read Stacy's story for inspiration and encouragement.

This question is often asked by all college students, not just returning adults. However, as an adult student, you may have outside obligations that make it feel more urgent to lessen your load. If you're doing poorly in a class or two, your gut reaction may be to just drop it. After all, you've got so much on your plate, wouldn't it be better to focus on the classes you're doing well in? Maybe, but maybe not. Here are some reasons to consider sticking it out in that tough class.

You Need the Class Eventually

If the class you're struggling in is required for your curriculum, I recommend staying enrolled. Even if you're doing poorly, by sitting through the class and listening to the lecture, you'll be picking up some of the information. This will make it much easier to understand the next time around,should you have to repeat the course. The more you expose yourself to difficult concepts, the better you'll be able to grasp them.

You Receive Financial Aid

If you're currently receiving any form of financial aid, it may be in your best interest to stay in the class. Financial aid policiies often require students to complete a certain amount of credits each semester in order to remain eligible for future aid. Check with your financial aid office before dropping a course to find out the ramifications on your aid package. Dropping a class may mean that you'll need to come up with hundreds of dollars out of your own pocket down the road in order to get back on track with finanicial aid requirements.

You Like the Class

Sometimes students get discouraged and give up before it's necessary. If you like the class and are interested in the material, it would be a shame to walk away simply because you feel you're not doing well in the class. Talk to your instructor to see what your options may be. Maybe you're not doing as poorly as you think you are or maybe getting some help from a tutor will help you to make the information click.

No matter what your situation, I always recommend talking to your professor first. You may then want to see an academic adviser or financial aid officer for more information. Dropping a class too soon can have an adverse effect on your financial aid and on your academic future, as well as in how you feel about yourself. Only drop a class after you've thoroughly researched your options and are aware of the ramifications.